Insights

What does it mean to be an Image Bearer?

So God created mankind in His own image,
   in the image of God He created them;
   male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:27

“You sound just like your mother!” Mr. Incredible said smiling as he walked into the room where I was interacting with my grandson. “I came to see if your mom was here because from the other room your high pitched talking and singing with Graham sounded just like your mother!” What a compliment, I thought, to sound just like my mama.

“You act just like your daddy,” my friend said as she listened and watched me tell a story. She commented on how my mannerisms and inflections matched exactly how she had watched my daddy tell stories multiple times. What a gift, I thought, to act just like my daddy.

I am an image bearer of the combination of my parents, not just physically but also taking on their characteristics. I have spent far too many hours to count doing ministry with my parents,  being discipled by them, and walking through life together. I have taken on characteristics of each of them because we have spent so much time together. It makes me smile anytime someone says I remind them of my parents, but that is not my goal in life.

We are all image bearers of God and that is a privilege with a purpose, especially as a believer;
but since The Fall, sin has distorted the image of the bearer. Despite this, the core truth remains: we are made in the image of God, and this identity sets the foundation for understanding our redemption and restoration through Jesus Christ.(James Menendez). Colossians 1:15 says, “Christ is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”  Only by abiding in Christ and connecting to The Vine are we able to reflect the true image of God to others and view others as image bearers as well. We start our morning on Brooks St. saying, “You are the light of the world” to each other.  We want these little “light bearers” to know the power they possess as they shine the reflected Light of Christ into a dark world.

I want someone to leave an exchange with me and say, “She reminds me of The Father.”  I want the fragrance of the Lord to linger in every conversation I have with a fellow image bearer. I want to reflect His love to a world that might only get to know Him because of what they see in me and then I get to lead them to my heavenly Father.  I can only do that well when I stay connected to The Vine, abiding with Christ as the perfect image of God. Only then will I take on His characteristics, treat people as He would treat people, speak to them in the way He would speak to a friend, an enemy, or a rival. We are all image bearers but only when we abide in Him can we bear His image in a way that brings Him glory; and with our whole lives, we want to bring Him glory!

Becky Ross
Brooks St. Campus Principal